Of the many vehicle add-ons and modifications out there, brush guards (aka grill guards) are among the most popular, especially for those with trucks or SUVs. But despite their popularity, there’s a lot of debate as to whether they’re actually a worthwhile investment – some even claim that they may do more harm than good. So to clear the matter up, here are the pros and cons of putting a brush guard on your vehicle.
What Is a Grill Guard?
“What is a grill guard” or “What is a brush guard?” are two very common questions. Often called a bullbar or grille guard, it is a piece of hardware installed on the front of a vehicle to protect the front end from damage in certain kinds of collisions. Some designs cover just the bumper, while others are large enough to cover the entire grille and/or the headlights.
The term ‘brush guard’ (so named for its ability to protect against damage while driving through dense foliage) technically describes designs that protect the headlights as well as the grille and bumper, but it is often used to denote bullbars/grill guards in general. Moving forward, I’ll use the terms interchangeably.
Grill guards are usually made from steel or aluminum alloy, but some newer versions are made with polycarbonate and polyethylene. The weight difference between these materials can be substantial, with steel grill guards being the heaviest.
Grill guards are primarily used to help protect the vehicle from minor or relatively low-impact collisions. They are most prevalent in rural areas where collisions with wild animals, livestock, or thick foliage are more likely. Many drivers purchase grill guards to protect against deer. They are also used on many law enforcement vehicles for protection in the event of intentional collisions, such as nudging disabled vehicles out of the road.
Now that we have a better understanding of grill guards and what they’re for, let’s look at their key advantages.
Pros of Having a Brush Guard
A brush guard provides a few different advantages, the most important of which is preventing damage from road debris and low-impact collisions. They also work well with other modifications and provide an aesthetic value that many people love.
1) Protecting Against Front-End Damage
Those of us who have been in a minor fender bender know that it doesn’t always take much to beat up a vehicle’s front end. Even a 5-mile-an-hour impact with a light post, garage door, or another vehicle can leave you with a dented bumper, cracked grille, or busted headlight. Even a tree branch or small flying rock can do some noticeable damage.
That’s where a brush guard comes in handy. If someone carelessly backs into you in a parking lot or your teenager accidentally hits a fire hydrant while you’re teaching them to drive, the brush guard will take the hit and leave your vehicle unscathed.
But a brush guard is arguably even more useful out of the city, when you’re out on the highway, navigating back roads, dirt roads, or going off the road. Protection from dings and scrapes caused by scratchy brush, kicked-up rocks, and other debris is a major benefit in itself. But protection against collisions with small to medium-sized animals is even better.
Sometimes it can be nearly impossible to avoid an animal leaping across the road, especially at night, and even at moderate speeds, such an impact can be devastating. Depending on the vehicle, its speed, and the size of the animal, a grill guard can help prevent serious damage to the vehicle.
A grill guard can not only prevent cosmetic damage in these kinds of collisions but can also protect the radiator and other crucial components under the hood.
2) Easier Modifications
A brush guard can also make modifying or adding accessories to your vehicle much simpler. Many people like to mount light bars, spotlights, or Rally lights on their brush guards. Not only are they convenient for such additions, but many brush guards are even specifically designed to accommodate added lighting.
But perhaps the best part about mounting lights to a brush guard is that it doesn’t involve making permanent changes to the vehicle itself, such as drilling holes in the bumper or grille.
3) Aesthetic Value
Another benefit of brush guards is the rugged and beefy look they can lend to just about any vehicle. This isn’t exactly a universal or objective advantage, but for those who want to give their car, truck, or SUV some extra toughness and style, it’s worth it – especially since they come in a vast range of designs and are infinitely customizable.
There’s also a good chance that having a brush guard will inspire other drivers to keep a healthy distance or exercise greater caution around you – it’s not uncommon for people to mistake any vehicle with a grill guard for a law enforcement vehicle, especially if it has a light bar mounted on it.
Cons of Having a Brush Guard
Brush guards have their share of drawbacks that deserve due consideration. Most importantly, brush guards can be dangerous to pedestrians and can cause even more front-end damage to the vehicle in certain circumstances. They also tend to come at a fairly hefty price and have plenty of heft themselves.
1) Increased Risk To Pedestrians
Some studies have shown that using a grill guard can significantly increase the likelihood of serious injury and death in collisions involving pedestrians. This is because grill guards, by design, are solid and inflexible, meaning that they do not absorb the force of impact, but instead transfer the force to the pedestrian. Vehicle bumpers and grills, on the other hand, are designed to ‘give’ to a certain extent, absorbing some of the force of impact.
This is such a serious issue that the sales of many types of grill guards have been outlawed in the European Union. It’s a very important consideration for anyone looking to outfit their vehicle with a grill guard. Even when driving with the utmost caution, it’s still a potential risk, particularly in densely populated cities with a lot of foot traffic. If you live in a more rural area, however, it may not be as big of a risk.
2) Risk of Greater Collision Damage In Certain Circumstances
While a brush guard can help prevent vehicle damage in low-speed collisions, it can cause much more damage than normal in a higher-speed collision. There are two main reasons for this.
The first reason is that the brush guard can end up spreading the impact force over a wider area, leading to more extensive damage.
For instance, say you have a brush guard that covers the entire front end of your vehicle, including the headlights. If you hit a fire hydrant or a fallen tree trunk with the bottom edge of your brush guard while traveling fast enough, the impact could drive the guard up and back, crushing your headlights and the front of your hood. Without the brush guard, the impact may only damage the bumper, leaving the rest of the front end intact.
The second reason is that the brush guard can transfer the impact force directly to the vehicle frame.
Brush guards are installed by being bolted directly to the frame. This means that if you collide with an object (especially a large one) at high speed, the impact force will travel through the rigid brush guard and into the point of installation, likely bending or otherwise damaging the frame itself. Without the brush guard, the vehicle’s built-in shock absorption apparatus on the front end will (hopefully) take the brunt of the impact and protect the chassis.
The difference in repair costs if the frame is damaged can be thousands of dollars, and may even render the car totaled.
3) Weight
Another potential disadvantage of a brush guard is the weight it adds to your vehicle’s front end. Smaller versions will, of course, add relatively little weight, but a larger brush guard that covers the headlights and grill typically weighs around 50-80 pounds. Depending on your vehicle, this may affect handling and even gas mileage to some degree. Fortunately, you can cut down the weight significantly by opting for a polycarbonate or aluminum alloy design.
4) Cost
This isn’t necessarily a drawback since there’s a wide range of prices but it’s still worth mentioning, as it can be prohibitive to some people. Brush guards can be quite expensive, especially for a high-quality one that offers maximum protection. Typically, they can run anywhere from $200 for a small, basic model to $1,500 for a larger and more comprehensive design- but with customizations, the sky’s the limit.
In Summary – Worth It Or Not?
To reiterate, here are the key pros and cons of installing a brush guard:
Pros
- Protects against damage from low-speed collisions with animals and other objects.
- Protects from minor dings and scratches from debris and brush.
- Allows for convenient, reversible front-end modifications.
- Provides an appealing rugged aesthetic.
Cons
- Increases risk of serious injury and/or death to pedestrians.
- Can cause greater vehicle damage in high-speed collisions.
- Adds significant front-end weight.
- Some models can be quite expensive.
It’s not exactly an easy or clear-cut decision whether or not it is worth it to install a brush guard on your vehicle. Ultimately, you’ll have to weigh the options and determine whether it’s right for your specific circumstances, purposes, and driving conditions. I hope this article has helped make the decision easier! Thanks for reading!